GaryHooser's Blog

He doesn’t know me at all and I only know him as jersey #6. He’s probably 9 years old, maybe 10. His actions on the soccer field this past Saturday should make us all very proud, and remind us of how civil society is supposed to act.

We were there at Lydgate Park to watch our 8 year old grandson Rixon play his final game of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) season. It was the first game of the day.

Player #6 was on the opposing team who were beating our guys pretty badly. It was in the third quarter. There was a pause in play and the players each took up their positions, facing off against each other, waiting for the referee to resume the game.

Player #6 and his opponent were facing each other, standing only a few feet apart. Then #6 pointed down at his opponents feet – telling him his shoe lace was untied.

Both players looked over to the referee who then continued to pause the play so the young boy could tie his shoe. With the game stopped and everyone on the sidelines watching, the young boy reached down and struggled unsuccessfully to retie his shoe.

Jersey #6 without prompting or fanfare, then kneeled down and proceeded to help his young opponent tie his shoe.

It was an awesome moment really. Those of us privileged to witness this selfless and impromptu act by young #6, offered a spontaneous yet subdued applause as the game resumed.

To young #6 I’m sure the act was nothing special. He was just following his na’au and did what he felt he needed to do at that particular moment in time.

He could have just looked away and ignored the other boys untied shoe, and consequently the other boy could have tripped and hurt himself. He could have just stood there and watched his opponent struggle with his inability to tie his own shoe.

But he didn’t. He saw a problem, called attention to it, and then helped fix it.

Wow. Just wow.

He didn’t criticize, or mock, or brag, or call attention in any way to his own good deed.

This little man #6, just seemed to know instinctively that “we are all in this together” and those who can, should, and must, assist those who cannot.

What does this have to do with policy and politics you might be wondering?

Well just about everything is the short answer.

Some will say we are all in this together and we have a responsibility to help each other, while other’s say it’s the law of the jungle, survival of the fittest, and only the strong survive.

#6 has never had a class in political science nor studied the theory of natural selection. He acted out of instinct, and he did the right thing.

Mahalo plenty to you young man and to your ohana who supports and nurtures you.

And to the young fellow who couldn’t get that shoe tied just right. Please know it’s perfectly natural and normal for a young guy like you to not have a lot of experience in this. I checked with my grandson Rixon who is 8 years old. He confirmed that every single one of his friends has worn rubbah slippahs from the day they were born. He says tying shoe laces is not something most of his classmates are good at.

At the end of the day it doesn’t matter which political party you belong to, or who you support or do not support for political office – because we are all in this together. We must always remember this lesson from that young man wearing jersey #6 and do our best to help each other.

While it may sound a bit corny, I believe every one of us wants to change the world for the better. We each see the injustice, the pain, the hardship, and the ugliness, and each of us want to help in some way.

Over time some become jaded and perhaps forget the earlier moments of idealism. But deep down each of us know in our heart and soul that we as individuals, have the power to make the world a better place – in big ways and in small.

Imagine if we each acted daily on that belief.

Imagine the combined power of each of us daily helping the elderly neighbor next door cut the grass or take out their trash. What if we on occasion took some small amount of food down to the food bank, and/or made a $10 reoccurring financial contribution to a worthy cause. How about if every single time we went went for a walk – we made it a point to pick up litter instead of stepping over it?

Imagine that. Imagine the positive energy that would flow from taking one small step each day toward improving the world around us – every single day. Then multiply that by all of us.

Yes, of course we have to put the oxygen mask on our own family members first, before we try to help others.

I get that, but I also believe that “we are all in this together”. At least that’s the creed I live by.

So, put that mask on your youngest, then turn to your neighbor and help them as well.

Then plant a tree, recycle your cans, paper, and food waste – and take ownership of your democracy by filling in that ballot that came in the mail.

Civic engagement and community service go hand-in-hand. Putting family first is a must but it’s not a valid excuse for neglecting the other.

We’re all busy. We all have bills to pay, health and family issues to deal with etc. However, we’re not so busy we can’t pick up litter when we’re outside, or offer our neighbor a hand when they need it, or simply share a smile and kind word with a stranger over the counter.

Voting by mail, or dropping off your ballot at a Voter Service Center takes 15 to 45 minutes every two years – max. If you’re not sure who to vote for, Google the candidates, ask a friend or neighbor whom you respect, or visit https://garyhooser.blog/ 😉

Ditto to making the phone call or sending an email to your legislator or Councilmember a couple of times per year. It takes only a few minutes and the cumulative impact is potentially huge.

Voting, sending off that email testimony, helping your neighbor, picking up trash along the road, and other small acts of civic and community service are essential basic components of citizenship – but to move forward, we need that and more.

From those who can give more, we need more – more time, more fundraising help, more involvement in community and more participation in policy and politics.

You know who you are so please step up. Don’t wait to be dragged kicking and screaming down the aisle of community and civic service – step up and step forward now.

Our world desperately needs new leadership at all levels, public and private. We need leaders who share in the “We are all in this together” creed and who put the needs of people and the planet first – above greed and corporate profits.

If you’re interested, if you feel a calling, if you have roots in your community, if you have some track record of leadership, and perhaps you’re not sure and want to learn more – I’d be happy to possibly help or at the minimum share with you my experience working in the world of policy and politics.

Just call – 808-652-4279
Seriously. Texting first is probably best, email of course works as well GaryLHooser@gmail.com – but if you really and truly want to increase your leadership role in our community – lmk.

Gary Hooser
Former State Senator, Majority Leader, Councilmember
Continuing along this life path as a son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend – just trying my best to do good and be the best that I can be.

First published October 19th in the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle.

The biggest threat to democracy is not unregulated immigration, but rather the unregulated and unlimited flow of money into political campaigns – on both sides of the aisle.

Billionaire Elon Musk has given $75 million to a SuperPac supporting the election of Donald Trump and promised to give away $1 million each day to a registered voter who signs his petition (illegal) until November’s election. (Reuters)

Hundreds of millions of dollars from big business interests have also been raised in support of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Here at home, a Honolulu based SuperPac “For A Better Tomorrow” just invested $84,672 in support of incumbent Councilmember and former Mayor Bernard Carvalho, former Councilmember Arryl Kaneshiro, and incumbent Councilmember Addison Bulosan.

That’s $28,224 apiece.

Compared to national numbers, it’s a piddling amount.

But for local elections, it’s huge.

For context, $28,224 exceeds the entire campaign budgets for 85% of the 14 Council candidates running.

For further context, the maximum legal amount any individual may donate to a Council campaign is $2,000.

According to the Campaign Spending Commission,“For a Better Tomorrow” hired Red Horse Strategies on 10/08/24 for $22,307 and Targeted Platform Media, LLC on 10/15/24 for $62,365 – to promote their 3 candidates.

And there’s more to come.

“For a Better Tomorrow” is a “NonCandidate Committee SuperPac” with nearly $8 million dollars in the bank courtesy of the Hawaii Carpenters Market Recovery Program Fund.

The political mailer that arrived at my house on Saturday was twice the size of others I’d received, and was promoting 3 different Council candidates who appeared “linked” together as a slate.

The image literally has the 3 of them together on a string.

It’s only after reading the fine (and very small hard to read) print that one discovers, “Paid for by For a Better Tomorrow without the approval or authority of the candidate.”

So it’s clear (but not really). The candidates themselves had nothing to do with running this advertisement. At least they didn’t approve or authorize it. Perhaps they discussed it, were asked their opinion of it, or were made aware of it? Or perhaps not.

In any case, it’s clear they did not approve or authorize it, and you really can’t blame the candidates for the work of a “non-candidate committee – SuperPac”.

A SuperPac supports candidates who will support the SuperPac’s agenda. At least, that’s the expectation.

We each vote for, and support candidates we believe support our own values and our own policy agenda. I’ve supported candidates via a non-candidate committee in the past as well – albeit at a tiny fraction of the amounts being spent by For a Better Tomorrow SuperPac.

The whole thing stinks. Political campaigns should not be won or lost based on who has the wealthiest friends.

In a controversial 2010 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, reversed century-old campaign finance restrictions and enabled corporations and other outside groups to spend unlimited funds on elections. Brennan Center for Justice

A 5–4 majority decided limiting “independent political spending” violates the First Amendment right to free speech.

Lawmakers at all levels need to stop making excuses and do something.

If unlimited expenditures cannot be banned, then dramatically increase the basic regulation requirements at all levels.

For starters think: Increased disclosure, special sales taxes (think alcohol, short-term rentals, tobacco, etc), escalating administrative fees.“Fine print disclosures” used in mailers must be made large enough to easily read, and verbal disclosures on radio and tv must be clear enough to actually understand what’s being said.

Yes, it’s a bit ironic. We are counting on elected officials who are counting on SuperPacs to win – to do the right thing.

Gary Hooser

First Published 10/23/2024 in The Garden Island newspaper

Note: I like carpenters. I also like unions. But I don’t like SuperPacs backed by big money and big development attempting to buy their way into our elections. In my 20 years of working in the field of policy and politics, I’ve come to know and expect their annual attacks at the State legislature aimed at weakening: environmental protections, HRS 343, the State Land Use Commission, the County Planning Commissions, and other important laws that protect and preserve the natural environment and the over-all public interest.

The ballots have arrived and questions are streaming in from friends on every island…asking how I would vote “if I lived in the District” – Below includes Maui, Oahu (parts), Kauaʻi, OHA Statewide, and constitutional amendments. Big Island – I’m still mulling and researching and talking to friends who live there.

On Maui, this excellent Civil Beat story by Leo Azambuja describes the County Council competition pretty clearly. Maui Vs Maui: Candidates Square Off In County Council Power Struggle (https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/10/maui-vs-maui-candidates-square-off-in-county-council-power-struggle/)

It’s important to remember every voter on Maui can vote for each and every one of these exceptional individuals. You don’t have to live in Wailuku, or Kahului, or on Molokai to vote for those candidates! So please – where-ever you live in Maui County – cast your vote for each and every one!

Kelly Takaya King (https://www.kellykingformaui.com/) – South Maui
Carol Lee Kamekona (https://www.carolleekamekona.com/) – Kahului
Nara Boone (https://votenaraboone.com/) – Makawao-Haiku-Paia
James Forrest (https://www.voteforrest2024.com/) – Wailuku
Jocelyn Cruz (https://www.votecruz2024.com) – Upcountry District.
Shane Sinenci (https://votesinenci.com/) – East Maui
Gabe Johnson (https://gabe4council.com/) – Lanai
Tamara Paltin (https://tamarapaltinformaui.com/) – West Maui
Keani Rawlins-Fernandez (https://votekeani.com/) – Molokai

As to the State House of Representatives on Maui – these three are in my opinion, totally awesome.
Terez Amato (https://terezamato.nationbuilder.com/) – State House District 11
Mahina Poepoe (https://www.votemahina.com/) – State House District 13
Elle Cochran (https://voteellecochran.com/) – State House District 14
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On Kauaʻi – To better understand my thoughts on the Kauaʻi political/electoral lay of the land, please read One Kauaʻi County Council vote for Fern Anuenue Holland can make a difference (https://garyhooser.blog/2024/10/17/one-kaua%ca%bbi-county-council-vote-for-fern-anuenue-holland-can-make-a-difference/) and support Council Candidate Fern Anuenue Holland (https://www.fernanuenue.com/) –
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What about State Senate District 23 including the Windward Oahu communities Kaneohe, Kahaluu, Laie, Kahuku to Mokuleia, Schofield Barracks and Kunia Camp? My choice for this race is Ben Shafer (https://www.benshafer.org/) .

Ben Shafer is the real deal. If you care as deeply as I do about protecting our planet, you will appreciate the person who is Ben Shafer. Please tell your friends and neighbors to go the extra mile and help Ben take his campaign all the way to victory on November 5th.
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I’ve been getting more than a few people inquiring as to my thoughts on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (https://www.oha.org/). After consulting with kanaka friends on every island. My votes will be going to:

OHA At Large – Lei Ahu Isa
Molokai – Kunani Nihipali
Kauaʻi – Dan Ahuna
Note: None of the above OHA candidates appear to have campaign websites.
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“Rebuilding the House”

At the top of my “rebuilding the House” list is supporting the election of Corey Rosenlee (https://www.coreyrosenlee.com) House District 39 – Royal Kunia, Village Park, Honouliuli, Ho‘opili, and Portion of Waipahu, and Anthony Makana Paris (https://votemakana.com/) House District 42 Portions of Varona Village, ‘Ewa, and Kapolei, Fernandez Village.

Both Rosenlee and Paris fall into the “change-maker” category and their election to the Hawai’i State House would shift the balance of power towards people and the planet – of this I have no doubt whatsoever.

“We need to find, support, and elect political leaders who are integrity-based decision-makers, who will always vote their conscience, and are driven by the courage of their convictions.” From Hooser blog Looking for Change-Makers (https://garyhooser.blog/2024/03/28/looking-for-change-makers/)

One other candidate for the State House of Representatives who comes highly recommended by friends in the legislature is Desire Desoto (https://www.desiredesoto.com/) HD 45 Wai‘anae, Mākaha.

Desire’s resume says it all as to her values, experience, and priorities: 28 years of service working in Wai’anae Public Schools, 2019 American School Counselor of the Year Finalist, 2018 Hawai’i School Counselor of the Year, Current Member, Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center Board of Directors, Former Alternative Learning Programs Teacher, Lifeguard, Swimming Instructor/Coach, All-American Swimmer, Olympic Trials Qualifier, Professional Surfer, Stunt Woman, Mental Health Therapist, and much much more.

If supporting the youth of today and visionary leaders of tomorrow is as important to you as it is to me – a vote for 21 year old Asheemo Daily is in order. Asheemo “Koda” is running for the State House District 48 Kaneohe, Ahuimanu, Kahaluu, Waiahole and Kaaawa.

And of course we must continue supporting these House candidates:

House District 5 (South Kona, Na’alehu, Kalehu, Ka’u, Pahala) Jeanné Kapela (https://www.jeannekapela.com/)

House District 20 (Lē‘ahi, Kāhala, Wai‘alae, Kaimukī, Kapahulu) Tina Grandinetti (https://www.tinaforhawaii.com/)

House District 29 (Kahauiki, Kalihi, Kapalama) Ikaika Lardizabal Hussey (https://www.ikaika.house/)

House District 46 (Portion of Waipi‘o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village, Waialua, Mokulē’ia) Amy Perruso (https://www.voteamyperruso.com/)
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Last but certainly not least: Please pass the word and vote YES on Constitutional Amendment Question #1 (https://www.yesformarriage.org/) to protect marriage equality. There is a second question regarding the selection of judges that I am also voting Yes on.
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Each County also has questions pertaining to County Charter Amendments which I’ve had no time to review nor really feel qualified to answer – except for Kauaʻi County – I’m voting yes on all Kauaʻi County proposed Charter Amendments.
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Please know the above is simply how I would vote, if I lived in the district…I strongly encourage you to do the research…and make your best most informed choice…but bottom line is be involved and VOTE!

In case you missed it, please take the time to read and SHARE widely this missive I wrote recently “Voting Conundrum – The Party or the Person?” (https://garyhooser.blog/2024/10/04/voting-conundrum-the-party-or-the-person/) The feedback I’ve gotten so far indicates this column resonates deeply with many voters.

Please, let’s do this.

Gary L. Hooser (https://www.garyhooser.com/about)
Former Hawai’i State Senator, Majority Leader
HOLD THE DATE – morning of November 2!
The Hawai’i (https://www.hawaiiworkerscenter.org/) Workers Center (https://www.hawaiiworkerscenter.org/) is tentatively planning a community march through Waikiki in support of the striking hotel workers and all the labor issues the community has been dealing with lately. State tuned.

Full Disclosure: My missives and rants are my own personal thoughts and do not represent any organization or group…it’s just me Gary Hooser, sharing my thoughts with friends and networks. The minimal costs associated with maintaining and sending the email and posting on my blog (https://garyhooser.blog/) …are paid directly and personally by me.

So who you going to vote for?

Some will keep that answer private and others will wear it on their sleeve (or their car bumper or on the yard sign in front of their house).

As a political columnist writing an opinion column, I’m expected to offer readers my opinion – of which I have many.

But for today’s column I am offering only one.

The race to elect the President of the United States will not be decided by Hawaii’s 4 electoral votes, but rather by the 7 “swing states” – Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

On Kauaʻi, our federal legislative and state races are a done deal. There are no serious challengers (as defined by candidates running active campaigns and spending the money needed to win) on the Republican ticket.

Incumbents at all levels will win reelection with large margins.

100% of the “action” here at home is at the Kauaʻi County Council level.

Fern Anuenue Holland, coming in at #9 in the Primary Election is the only challenger within striking distance.

Consequently: Voters interested in bringing to the Kauaʻi County Council new energy, new ideas, and a new spirit of “getting the job done” – must vote for Fern Anuenue Holland.

That of course is my opinion, and it’s formed by serving on the Kauaʻi County Council myself for 8 years, and through my experience working with Fern Holland and with every single incumbent now on the Council as well.

Fern is one of those rare candidates who’s truly a “change-maker”.

While most who sit at the table in the Council chambers are hesitant to rock the boat or explore the boundaries. Fern Holland will likely be the one at the table to raise her hand and suggests the Council be more proactive in its approach to problem-solving.

While 4 votes are needed to actually implement anything at all, Fern will ensure that the public conversation is engaged, and the possibility of change is at least placed on the table.

I for one believe our community is badly in need of more “change-makers” and less “going along to get along”.

Simply balancing the budget and issuing flowery Resolutions is not enough. We need a County Council that actively seeks out solutions successfully utilized already in other municipalities.

Whether it’s supporting small farmers, increasing affordable housing, drug abuse and mental health issues, or the critical nature of our land-fill situation – there is no shortage of public policy challenges.

Can one person really make a difference you might ask?

I think so.

A single change-maker who understands the value of working together in mutual respect with the other Councilmembers, who will do the detailed research needed to develop real solutions, and who knows how to bring community to the table in support – can be the catalyst we need.

There are of course other good and solid members of the Council now sitting in some of those seats. But what’s missing is that invaluable catalyst.

We need Fern Anuenue Holland at the table in the Historic County Building.

And while the ballot says you may “vote for up to 7”, a single “one-vote plunk” will have the largest impact. Bottom line is only vote for those whom you really and truly believe in – certainly no more than 3 or 4 max.

At least that’s my opinion.

Gary Hooser
Policy & Politics
First published in The Garden Island Newspaper 10/16/24

Will you be casting your vote based mostly on the person, or the Party?

Recently I received an email asking a simple and straightforward question on this topic. In formulating an answer, my brain quickly became entangled in complicated thoughts and counter-thoughts.

My friend asked:

“I live in State House District ##, where John Doe Democrat is running against Mary Doe Republican.

“I reviewed their respective responses to questions published on their websites and in various public forums. I found John Doe Democrat’s responses were weak and thin. By comparison Mary Doe Republican’s words were much more thoughtful.

“However, Mary Doe is a conservative and a Christian whose faith has a strong bearing on her life and politics. She makes that clearly known.

“John Doe Democrat is running for reelection but seems very inexperienced and lacking a vision of his preferred future for Hawaiʻi. But he’s a Democrat and will likely be consistent in supporting the party line.

“On the other hand, Mary Doe Republican, at 65, is retired, a former owner of a company, and a long-time community association leader. She has a more defined vision of a preferred future for Hawaiʻi. But she’s a Republican.

“How would you advise people to vote in this instance? Should I vote along Party lines or cross the line and vote for the person instead of the Party?”

Seemed like a pretty basic question and my initial thought was to suggest that regardless of Party affiliation, the vote should go to the person who seemed more competent, and who held a more compelling vision of the future.

Then I remembered a past conversation with my daughter.

“Dad”, she said, “There are some things like bigotry and a woman’s right to choose, where it’s not possible to agree to disagree.”

My daughter of course nailed it and she’s absolutely correct (as is normally the case).

Consequently my response to my friends email asking whether he should vote for Mary Doe Republican, the seemingly more competent candidate with a compelling vision – was a series of follow-up questions each with a non-negotiable answer.

Does she believe in a woman’s right to choose?
Does she believe global warming is a real threat to our planet?
Does she view the LGBTQ community as equals?
Does she believe public schools should require the Bible to be taught as the word of God?
What about books? Does she want to dictate the books my family may or may not read?
Does she believe every worker is entitled to a living wage?Does she support universal healthcare?
Does she believe that we’re all in this together and everyone must be treated equally under the law?Does Mary Doe Republican support Trump?

Of course there are other litmus test questions, and it’s possible perhaps even likely, that John Doe Democrat does not answer them all correctly either.

But you get the point, and the questions must be asked.

Political party’s are formed around values, issues related to those values, and the individuals/candidates who champion those values.

Candidates for State and Federal office are presumed to have joined the political party that aligns best with their own personal values and consequently pledge to support the platform of that Party.

I have close friends and relatives whom I love dearly, but who would fail miserably the test and questions listed above, and I would certainly never ever vote for them (and yes, we mostly avoid talking politics).

There are some things that are nonnegotiable.

Just because someone cares deeply about the community, is honest, has a solid track record as a volunteer, and goes to church every Sunday – doesn’t mean you want them in charge of making the rules we all must live by.

All candidates are imperfect.

We must do our best as voters to ask the right questions, then make the best choice possible, choosing the candidate that best reflects our core values.

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser
Former Hawaiʻi State Senator, County Councilmember and many other things…including former Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi –

“I’m now curious: How does the Speaker get that position – is it a public vote or in-house vote by the other reps?”

This was the question most asked following my recent Policy & Politics column How does Speaker Nadine Nakamura sound?

The short answer is whoever has 25 friends in the State House of Representatives, can be Speaker or Finance Chair, or whatever they want.

With a 26 vote majority in the House, all things are possible. In the State Senate the magic number is 13.

The key word is “majority”. The key phrase is “majority rules”.

There are no rules on how to form a solid majority and thus “organize” the House or Senate. There’s “past practice” but no rules.

Historically the 26 votes needed to organize the House would all come from Democrats. Occasionally however, if a particular “faction/group” of Democrats are short of the 26 votes needed, they will “organize” with Republican votes in order to reach that magic number.

Remember, with 26 votes, all things are possible.

Those 26 votes decide who’ll be House Speaker, Chair of Finance, and other leadership and key committee assignments. They’ll also determine the basic “House Rules” that guide how bills are referred, passed, killed, and resurrected.

Those 26 (or more) House members will reach agreement in private with zero public discussion.

Typically, the discussion and agreement will be “brokered” between only a handful of House members who represent various “factions” within the greater 51 member House.

One or more factions will rally around the incoming Finance Chair, while others will coalesce around that member seeking to be House Speaker.

Sometimes the factions are “solid”, and other times they’re more fluid with less loyalty between the members.

Needless to say, the more solid the faction, the more votes they bring to the table, and consequently the more influence they have on the ultimate outcome.

If the various factions total at least 26 votes and come to agreement on who will be Speaker and Finance Chair, it’s a done deal. They would then “divvy up the pie” – divide up the remaining leadership positions, key committee assignments, and decide on the key House rules.

If they fall short of the magic 26 votes needed, they’ll seek to “peel off votes” from another faction or otherwise entice uncommitted House members to join them.

The 26th vote can pretty much ask for anything – even the location of their parking space is negotiable.

Some members base their vote entirely on “What’s in it for me?”.

Others will condition their vote on the entire “package”.

Are the Speaker and Finance Chair known to be open, honest, and inclusive? Are the proposed House rules acceptable? What about friends and allies in the House, other members in my faction, and the membership in general – are they being treated fairly?

Everything’s done in private, and everything’s on the table.

As soon as the incoming Speaker and Finance Chair have “locked in” the 26 votes, they’ll hold a public vote confirming what they’ve already agreed to privately.

What happens to members not part of the core group of 26?

What happens to the Republicans and so-called “dissidents”, Democrats who seek systemic change and/or had the audacity to challenge an incumbent House Speaker – and win?

The new majority can follow the path blazed by the past, banish the outsiders and dissidents to Siberia, ice them out of key committees, and otherwise attempt to silence them.

Or, they can provide meaningful opportunities to serve for all, sending a message loud and clear that times have changed, and all voices, are welcome at the table.

This my friends will be the true test of leadership.

Gary Hooser
Former Hawaii State Senator, Majority Leader
Survivor of two separate Senate “reorgs”

House Members opposing rule changes will claim there are “too many bills” and time does not allow every bill to receive a hearing and a vote.

A quick google search shows that The Colorado and North Dakota constitutions require a hearing on every bill assigned to House and Senate committees. 

In New Hampshire every bill introduced and referred to a committee must have a public hearing unless the rules are suspended by two-thirds of the members present.

New Hampshire does not have bill introduction limits.

These are 3 examples and I’m sure there are others but I’ve not had time to properly research each state legislative chamber to determine how each does it.

The Colorado and New Hampshire “legislative sessions” are approximately the same length as Hawaii. In North Dakota, the House and Senate sit for only 80 days in odd-numbered years.

“Twenty-one chambers currently impose a limit on the number of bills that a member may introduce or request to be drafted.”

Arizona House
California Senate and Assembly
Colorado Senate and House
Florida House
Indiana Senate and House
Louisiana Senate and House
Montana Senate and House
Nevada Senate and Assembly
New Jersey Senate and General Assembly
North Carolina House
North Dakota Senate and House
Tennessee Senate
Wyoming Senate

Proponents of bill introduction limits feel that the limits reduce the number of “hero bills” going through the system, and the duplication. The idea is not to restrict lawmakers’ work, but to reduce the amount of time spent on superfluous proposals and to allow more time for substantive legislation.

In addition to limiting bill introduction there are many other ways to deal with the issue of “too many bills and too little time”. The below are off the “top of my head” and I am sure there are other means to accomplish similar goals

1) Extend the legislative session by inserting additional “recess days” in order to hold more hearings. There is no need to amend the constitution in order to add additional days for public hearings…it is only “session days” that count toward the constitutional limit language.

2) “Gang” hearings to allow all versions of specific subject matter bills to be heard at once, then choose one to pass as the “vehicle” and amend as needed from content of other bills. At the moment – Grant In Aid requests are heard all at once in a very long single hearing.

3) Require bills that receive X number of sponsor signatures to receive a hearing and vote. Could be 1/3 or the body or a the committee or 1/2 or whatever threshold. Could require all bills to be circulated to every member of the body regardless of Party for signature and co-sponsorship

4) Those bills not selected by the Chair or via some other process to be heard could be “circulated” to the committee after public notification allowing the public time to comment – then after reviewing the public comment – the committee members could “sign off” yay or nay as to whether the bill should have a hearing or not and majority decides.

5) Hawaii has a two year legislative cycle, Bills introduced in the first year remain alive in the second year unless heard and voted down. The current practice is for legislators to reintroduce bills in the second year, even though they remain alive and have carried over from the first year. This practice can be revisited to reduce the number of bills introduced.

I’m hoping others in support of the rule changes will engage also in the research needed. I know there is a wealth of knowledge and examples of how other states do it…it just takes some work to drill down.

“Any session may be recessed by concurrent resolution adopted by a majority of the members to which each house is entitled. Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, the days in mandatory recess and any days in recess pursuant to a concurrent resolution shall be excluded in computing the number of days of any session.” From Hawaii Constitution

National Chamber of State Legislatures (NCSL)
https://www.ncsl.org

The Council of State Governments (CSG)

Homepage 2022

Other info at https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/CSG-book-of-the-states-2021.pdf

If you haven’t done so please consider signing this petition https://tinyurl.com/ycyka2pm and joining with thousands of others across the islands in the movement for change.

Click to access 08Tab0.pdf

Click to access 96Tab3Pt1.pdf

https://www.ncsl.org/legislative-staff/civics-education/learning-the-game#:~:text=And%20in%20some%20states%2C%20there,to%20House%20and%20Senate%20committees.

So what happens next?

There’s the General Election of November 5, the 2025 legislative session, the movement for legislative reform, and yes it’s not too early to be thinking about the 2026 elections.

At the top of my list and I hope yours as well, is aggressively supporting the legislative reform movement now building momentum across the islands.

Sparked by Kim Coco Iwamoto who defeated House Speaker Scott Saiki – the wave of change seems unstoppable.

Advocacy groups on every island are already passing Resolutions, gathering petition signatures, and doing serious community organizing – all laser focused on making legislative and campaign finance reform the litmus test issue of 2025.

Hawai’i voters are no longer looking the other way.

The corrupting influence of money in politics, the centralization of power, and the arrogance of it all – is no longer something the public is willing to ignore.

The historic defeat of Speaker Scott Saiki is clear proof voters are sick and tired and not going to take it anymore. It’s also motivating a growing pool of excellent candidates who’re ready, willing, and able to step up and challenge entrenched incumbents – knowing full-well it might take them 3 elections to succeed.

Woe be it to those legislators, especially State House members, who resist this tide of change.

With two year terms and districts small enough to walk door-to-door, House seats are much more vulnerable than those in the Senate or Council.

Reelection challenges (or not) will start at the moment the House “re-organizes” and a new Speaker is chosen.“House Rules” are normally approved and made public at this same time or shortly thereafter.

At this point, we’ll know whether legislators will be embracing the reforms or blowing us off.

The reforms being proposed by a coalition of community groups and backed by an increasing number of House members are common sense changes to rules governing the basic legislative process.

If passed, the rule changes would require that passage or failure of legislative proposals be based on a committee vote and not by a single individual committee chair.

Yes, it sounds pretty basic. A bill for a new law is proposed, a public hearing is held, the legislative committee votes, and a decision is made. Unfortunately this is not the way it currently happens in that big square building on Beretania Street.

Proposed reforms would also require public testimony be made available to the public when submitted, and proposed changes/amendments to legislation disclosed publicly in writing prior to the vote. Again, this is basic democracy, good government stuff – but not the way it’s now done at the Capitol.

Rules governing the “bill referral process” now allow the House Finance Committee to control every single legislative proposal that’s proposed, even if there’s zero impact on the budget. Existing rules grant the Finance Chair total control – no exaggeration, no hyperbole. The proposed reforms would eliminate this extreme concentration of power and allow referral to the Finance Committee only those bills that require funding or otherwise have budget implications.

If the incoming House Majority say yes to these basic yet comprehensive changes to their internal rules, they will be celebrated.

Should they choose to ignore the public clamor for reform – candidates on every island will no doubt start lining up for 2026, chafing at the bit to take-out incumbent legislators viewed as road-blocks to positive change.

And as happened in the Kim Coco Iwamoto, Scott Saiki race – the broader community will be there, supporting and cheering on the challengers.

Speaking of “broader community” – if that includes you please consider signing this petition https://tinyurl.com/ycyka2pm and joining with thousands of others across the islands in the movement for change.

Can I say it again?
Please.
Take the time.
Make the effort.
Sign the petition.
https://tinyurl.com/ycyka2pm

Important follow-up note: Legislators that oppose changing the rules will say “there are too many bills” and thus it is not practical and too time consuming to hear every single bill – Here is the info you need to rebut that argument and educate the legislator https://garyhooser.blog/2024/09/28/notes-on-changing-house-rules-to-require-every-bill-to-receive-a-hearing-and-a-committee-vote/

According to the coconut wireless, Representative Nadine Nakamura, who represents District 15 on Kaua`i (Hā’ena, Wainiha, Hanalei, Princeville, Kīlauea, Anahola, Keālia, Kapa‘a, portions of Wailua, and Kawaihau), will likely become the next Speaker of the State House of Representatives.

As the first woman to ever hold that position, she would make history.

The Speaker of the House by definition has support of a majority of its members, and so without question runs the show in the State House of Representatives.

If the multiple and persistent rumors are true, Representative Nakamura will soon have significant influence on how public policy is made and how the money is spent – for the entire State of Hawai’i.

Consequently, the voices of the voters living in House District 15 will be stronger, and their votes at election time more significant.

Every elected member is responsible to the voters in their District and the Speaker of the House is no different.

Just ask former House Speaker Scott Saiki who recently fell 256 votes short, losing his election to Kim Coco Iwamoto. Saiki represents House District 25, Kakaako, Alamoana, Downtown Honolulu.

Over the years, Saiki gained a reputation of being an inside player, a go-along to get-along, “good ole boy” who accepted and thus was part of the toxic “pay to play” culture that exists in that big square building on Beretania Street.

Rather than allowing legislation to pass or fail strictly on its merits, Saiki would sometimes use his influence as Speaker to “kill bills” in order to punish political adversaries.

House members not in his “faction” and others who dared challenge or oppose his actions, operated always under the shadow of similar retribution.

Voters in House District 25 inevitably became disenchanted with Saiki. He fell short in fulfilling his promises to the district, and it became increasingly clear that instead of modeling the highest standards of political conduct he tolerated, participated in, and perpetuated the lowest.

Consequently they voted him out and supported Kim Coco Iwamoto who proved through hard work and perseverance her commitment to the District AND she championed a bold new “reform agenda” – promising to pull back the curtain and push back hard against the existing legislative rules that provide inordinate power to the Speaker and Committee Chairs.

While it’s too early to actually “flip the switch” and reorganize the House, Representative Nadine Nakamura appears to have lined up more than the minimum 26 votes needed to organize the House.

My initial thought is that she will make an excellent Speaker. We served together on the Kaua`i County Council and I know her to be competent, honest, open-minded, and fair.

My hope is that Representative Nakamura will build a House majority coalition that fosters collaboration, honors all voices, and embraces the slate of reforms being proposed by Kim Coco Iwamoto and many other legislators and good government advocacy groups.

I encourage the voters of Kaua`i and District 15 especially (Hā’ena, Wainiha, Hanalei, Princeville, Kīlauea, Anahola, Keālia, Kapa‘a, portions of Wailua, and Kawaihau) to call and/or email Representative Nakamura today – 808-586-8435 repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov

If you’re a voter in her District, please let her know where you live, wish her well on her quest to be Speaker, and encourage her to lead the House Majority in a manner that is open, inclusive and collaborative.

If you agree, please also let her know that decisions pertaining to public policy must be made only after a public discussion, and always via an open and public vote.

Tell her please that the unilateral killing of bills without a vote and without public discussion is wrong and unacceptable, and that you’re counting on her and the new House majority to end this practice starting on day 1 of the new legislative session.

Gary Hooser
Former Kaua`i State Senator, Majority Leader, and Councilmember
Presently retired, living in the Wailua Homesteads, and just doing what I can to help make our community and world a better place.